This newsletter provides an update on Develop Africa activities.
Develop Africa E-Newsletter - April 2010
In This Newsletter...
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Greetings - Winds of Change, Spotlight Africa...
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New Set of Beneficiaries Receive Microfinance Training and Funds to Expand Their Businesses / Microfinance Video Testimonial 2010
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Wanted - Develop Africa Reviewers
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Promise of Hope Scholarship Award - Gambia 2010
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Food for Thought
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Books / School Supplies Sent to Cheshire Home in partnership With Nuwach Ministries
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Goodsearch Toolbar - Help Us Raise Funds Effortlessly!
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Scholarships Provided to New Beneficiaries / Children in Sierra Leone / Video Vote of Thanks
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Vision 2010 - Expand Our Impact, Invest Into Lives
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Greetings from the Develop Africa Board, Teams and Members - in the US, Africa and worldwide.
Winds of Change, Spotlight Africa And... The Ball is in Your Court
The beginning of 2010 marked a turning point, change and the start of a new decade. In many ways this year will be a significant one in Africa. For one thing, the World Cup will take place in South Africa and this will be Africa's opportunity to be in the spotlight. Predictably the African teams will do their utmost to excel as they play games with a "home advantage". We wish them the very best.
Africa will continue to be on the spotlight - we predict in increasing measure. Many of the more developed nations have been eagerly offering assistance and vying for a piece of Africa's resources - such as acreage for biofuel development, natural gas and petroleum etc. We see Africa rising to a place of strength, pride and competence. Where Africa will no longer be the byword. A day will come when there will be clear distinction between the productive Africa that can not be ignored and the scam artists and politicians that have blackened its name.
The winds of change are blowing through the dfifferent nations as citizens demand accountability, openness and results. Citizens in the disapora are being activated into involvement in fostering and making change happen, in one way or the other. Africans are stepping up to the plate and realizing 2 things:
- Individually, Africans can perform equal to any individual from any other nation.
- As individual nations, Africans can no longer excuse the status quo. Africans must arise and do whatever it takes to rescue the destiny of children unborn.
To all the noble, rising leaders, we say "grace to you" and "Yes, you can do it". Be faithful to your purpose and the needs of the people. Let's together make Africa a continent that all can be proud of.
How far can your eyes see? How clear is your vision? Can you see all this as being possible?
Change is in the air and you better believe its coming. The ball is in your court. Its your turn now. Step out and catch the first winds and you'll be much further ahead of the crowd. Be a part of making change happen - in whatever way you can. The rewards are priceless...
New Set of Beneficiaries Receive Microfinance Training and Funds to Expand Their Businesses / Microfinance Video Testimonial 2010
In January, Develop Africa disbursed another set of new loans to new beneficiaries of its microfinance program and held its 2nd Microfinance and Business Training course in Sierra Leone.
Develop Africa is looking for people who believe in the vision and work that Develop Africa is doing. We would like to ask these individuals to submit a review / comment on Develop Afrciaon a public website. This could be as simple as 3 sentences to a couple paragraphs or more. We are hoping through this independent website to introduce others to what Develop Africa is doing. It wil provide an opportunity for others to be introduced to and to see Develop Africa through your eyes / experience.
We would be grateful if you could consider doing this. So... if you like the work that we are doing and believe in our vision, please fill let us know by filling out this contact form. Be sure to specify "Provide a Review of Develop Africa"
Promise of Hope Scholarship Award 2010 - The Gambia
Banjul, The Gambia: In February 2010, Develop Africa provided full scholarships to 2 students - Fana and Naomi, students at Omega Training Institute (OTI) in the Gambia.
Naomi
Fana
They are both enrolled in OTI's Office Administration course. The course lasts between 9 months to 18 months or more depending upon the progress of the student through the course. The students were overjoyed to receive the scholarships enabling them to finish their courses.
A special thanks goes to Tiffany Jung and the donors who joined us in this vision to provide scholarships in the Gambia.
We also commend the fine work that Matthias and Ayeisha George are doing at Omega Training Institute in the Gambia.
Food For Thought - Making a Difference
"One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
--John Fitzgerald Kennedy
"We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee."
-- Marian Wright Edelman
"The greatest mistake is to do nothing because you can only do a little."
-- Sydney Smith, English clergyman and writer
"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."
-- William James (1842-1910), psychologist and author
"Often we set out to make a difference in the lives of others only to discover we have made a difference in our own."
-- Ellie Braun-Haley, author of A Little Door, A Little Light
Develop Africa Send Books and School Supplies to Cheshire Home, in Partnership With Nuwach Ministries
In November / December 2009, Develop Africa had the opportunity to send, in partnership with Nuwach Ministries an assortment of books and school supplies to Cheshire Home, a special needs children's home in Freetown.
These books and supplies were personally delivered by Gladys Palmer, the Founder of
Nuwach. The supplies were gratefully received by Mr. Foday, the Assistant Home Administrator.
We have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you! It's the new Develop Africa toolbar - once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Develop Africa - at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Develop Africa. http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/develop-africa
And please pass this along to all of your friends. The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser can make a lifetime of difference!
Scholarships Provided to New Beneficiaries / Children in Sierra Leone / Video Vote of Thanks
In January this year, Develop Africa provided scholarships to children in Sierra Leone. Below is a picture of the some of the beneficiary children and parents.
In this video below, Thomasia Smith - one of the recipients of Develop Africa's Promise of Hope Scholarship, expresses her appreciation to GlobalGiving and Develop Africa donors for their sponsorship that has helped her and her fellow students continue their schooling. Watch video on Youtube.com
Vision 2010 - Expand Our Impact, Invest in Lives
In 2010, we have the opportunity to change even more lives. Develop Africa’s vision for 2010 includes helping to establish at least 2 computer suites / labs, providing microfinance loans to up to 20 new beneficiaries, providing scholarships for up to 50 additional children, improving opportunities for hundreds of youths through computer training and providing leadership training.
We would like to invite you to help us continue to fulfill our mission and impact many more lives this year. We invite you to make or schedule a donation online through our website. You can also mail a check to our address. Thanks in advance for your support - through which we can do this and even more..
Thank you friends, supporters, donors and fans for your continued investment.
Sylvester Renner and The Develop Africa Team
Families in Sierra Leone face unprecedented challenges due to rising costs. Inflation makes it difficult for them to afford basic food staples such as rice, cooking oil, and onions.
Extending a helping hand can alleviate a significant burden and provide essential relief to the less fortunate.
The beginning of 2010 marked a turning point, change and the start of a new decade. In many ways this year will be a significant one in Africa. For one thing, the World Cup will take place in South Africa and this will be Africa's opportunity to be in the spotlight. Predictably the African teams will do their utmost to excel as they play games with a "home advantage". We wish them the very best.
The winds of change are blowing through the dfifferent nations as citizens demand accountability, openness and results. Citizens in the disapora are being activated into involvement in fostering and making change happen, in one way or the other. Africans are stepping up to the plate and realizing 2 things:
